Five Below Pay in Atlanta: What Workers Actually Earn

If you live in metro Atlanta and are wondering “How much does Five Below pay in Atlanta?”, you’re really asking about what hourly wages, roles, and pay expectations look like at the discount retailer’s local stores. Below is a clear breakdown of what you can generally expect, how pay may vary by area, and what else matters besides the starting wage.

Typical Five Below Pay Ranges in Atlanta

Five Below pay in Atlanta-area stores is usually hourly and depends on your role, experience, and sometimes the specific neighborhood.

Here’s a simplified overview of common ranges you’ll often see around Atlanta:

These ranges reflect what’s commonly reported in Atlanta and similar metro areas in Georgia, but individual stores can fall slightly outside of this, especially closer to high-traffic or high-cost areas.

How Pay Can Vary Within Metro Atlanta

Not all Atlanta Five Below locations are identical in pay. Several local factors can influence your starting rate:

1. Store Location in the Metro Area

A Five Below in busy retail centers or high-traffic suburbs around Atlanta may start slightly higher than a quieter location. For example, you may see different pay expectations between stores in or near:

• Buckhead
• Cumberland / Cobb Galleria area
• Perimeter (Sandy Springs / Dunwoody)
• Stonecrest / Lithonia
• Southlake (Morrow / Clayton County)
• Kennesaw / Town Center area

High-volume stores often look for people who can handle faster-paced environments, which can sometimes translate into more competitive starting wages or more available hours.

2. Experience and Skills

Even at the same Atlanta store, pay can differ between:

• Someone new to retail
• Someone with prior experience at big-box or specialty retailers
• A candidate who has cashier, key holder, or supervisory experience

If you’ve worked at other Atlanta chains like Target, Walmart, or Dollar Tree, you may have a little more leverage to negotiate toward the higher end of the typical range for your position.

3. Full-Time vs. Part-Time

Most entry-level roles at Five Below in Atlanta are part-time, with hours that can fluctuate based on:

• Season (back-to-school, holidays, summer)
• Store sales
• Your availability (evenings, weekends, holidays)

Full-time roles such as assistant managers and store managers generally have steadier pay and more predictable schedules, but also come with significantly more responsibility.

Common Positions at Five Below in Atlanta

Sales Associate / Team Member

This is usually the main entry-level job. Duties often include:

• Running the cash register
• Restocking shelves
• Setting up seasonal displays
• Helping customers find items
• General store cleanup and recovery

In Atlanta, these roles typically pay somewhere in the low-to-mid teens per hour, depending on location and your experience.

Key Holder / Shift Lead

Key holders often:

• Open or close the store
• Oversee a shift in the manager’s absence
• Handle cash office tasks
• Guide newer team members

Because of the added responsibility, Atlanta key holders generally earn a bit more per hour than standard sales associates.

Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager

These roles may be:

• Hourly or salaried, depending on the store and level
• In charge of hiring, training, scheduling, inventory, and store performance
• Expected to work more consistent and sometimes longer hours, including weekends and holidays

Compensation is usually higher and may include bonus opportunities based on store results.

What Else Affects Your Take-Home Pay in Atlanta

Pay rate is only part of the picture. If you’re working at a Five Below in Atlanta, consider:

1. Hours and Scheduling

Your paycheck depends heavily on how many hours you actually get. In many Atlanta retail stores:

• Busy seasons (November–December, back-to-school) often mean more shifts
• Slower months may bring fewer hours
• Being available for nights, weekends, and holidays often makes it easier to pick up hours

If you rely on a consistent paycheck in Atlanta, it’s worth asking during the interview:

• “What’s a typical weekly hour range for this role?”
• “Are there opportunities to pick up extra shifts?”

2. Commute and Transportation Costs

In metro Atlanta, your commute costs can eat into your hourly pay, especially with:

• I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, and GA‑400 traffic
• Limited transit access to many suburban shopping centers

When choosing a Five Below location, consider:

• How long your commute will be each way
• Whether it’s workable during rush hour
• MARTA access (rail and bus) if you don’t drive

A slightly higher hourly wage across town might not be worth it if your commute time and gas costs are much higher.

3. Taxes and Local Cost of Living

Atlanta is generally considered more affordable than some major coastal cities, but costs are rising, especially for:

• Rent and utilities
• Groceries and everyday expenses
• Transportation and parking in certain neighborhoods

Knowing your after-tax pay and comparing it to your monthly expenses (especially if you live in areas like Midtown, Buckhead, or near major campuses) can help you decide if the wage will realistically cover your needs.

How Five Below Pay Compares to Other Atlanta Retail Jobs

In the Atlanta market, entry-level retail jobs at chain stores typically cluster within a similar hourly range. Five Below’s pay for:

• Sales associates is often in line with other discount and specialty retailers
• Key holder and supervisor roles commonly pay a bit more across the board

Because many retailers in Atlanta compete for similar workers—especially in popular malls and shopping centers—pay differences often come down to:

• Exact location (mall vs. strip center vs. standalone)
• Company policies and internal pay scales
• Whether the store is chronically understaffed and trying to attract more applicants

When you’re comparing offers, look not just at the base pay but also:

• How stable the schedule is
• How easy it is to get to the store from where you live
• Whether there are realistic paths to promotion (for example, from team member to key holder)

How to Check Current Five Below Pay for an Atlanta Store

Because actual pay can change over time, the best way to get up-to-date wage info for an Atlanta Five Below is to:

1. Look at Job Postings

Search for “Five Below jobs Atlanta” and check listings that specify:

• “Starting at $X/hr” or
• “Pay based on experience”

You’ll often see specific pay ranges for particular stores in the Atlanta metro, such as:

• Atlanta city locations
• Marietta / Kennesaw
• Douglasville
• Stone Mountain / Lithonia
• Fayetteville / Peachtree City
• Lawrenceville / Duluth / Snellville

This is often the most straightforward way to confirm recent pay ranges.

2. Call or Visit the Store

If you want very specific information for a nearby store, you can:

• Call the store directly and ask to speak with a manager about pay for the role you’re interested in
• Visit in person and ask if they’re hiring and what the typical starting pay is

When you visit shopping centers like Cumberland Mall, Perimeter-area centers, or Stonecrest-area plazas, it’s common to find multiple retail stores hiring at once, which lets you compare pay and hours on the spot.

3. Use Atlanta Career Resources

Local employment and workforce centers around Atlanta can also help you evaluate pay and options, such as:

• Georgia Department of Labor Career Center – Atlanta
  223 Courtland St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 232-3500

Staff there can help you:

• Understand typical retail wage ranges in the Atlanta area
• Build or update a resume
• Explore other local employers if you want to compare offers

Tips for Getting the Best Pay Possible at a Five Below in Atlanta

If you decide to apply, a few Atlanta-specific strategies can help you land on the higher end of the typical pay range:

• Highlight prior Atlanta retail or customer-service experience. If you’ve worked at local stores in Lenox Square, Atlantic Station, Camp Creek Marketplace, or other metro-area centers, mention that experience clearly.
• Be flexible with shifts. Willingness to work weekends, closing shifts, and holidays can sometimes make a manager more open to offering a higher rate or more hours.
• Ask politely about pay range before or during the interview. You can say something like, “What’s the typical pay range for this role at this location?”
• Consider locations closer to home. A store that’s a simple drive or MARTA ride away can effectively increase your “real” pay by reducing time and money spent commuting.

In summary, Five Below pay in Atlanta for entry-level team members generally falls in the low-to-mid teens per hour, with higher rates for key holders, assistant managers, and store managers. Actual pay varies by store location, your experience, and scheduling needs, so it’s wise to check current job postings or speak directly with the store to confirm the most accurate information for your part of metro Atlanta.